Result: Perth Glory 2 Newcastle Jets 0

Perth Glory continued Newcastle’s horror start to the Hyundai A-League season with a scrappy 2-0 victory over the winless Jets at nib Stadium on Friday night.

Goals to Richard Garcia and Nebojsa Marinkovic sealed another three points for Glory – the club’s sixth win from the last seven games – to keep Kenny Lowe’s side at the top of the league after 10 rounds.

Adding salt to Newcastle’s wounds, captain Kew Jaliens was sent off for a crude tackle late in the match.

What They Said

David Carney (Newcastle Jets)

“I thought we played well in patches but we have to take our chances and I had a great chance to get us back in the game.

“Especially when you're down the bottom things just don't go for you but I really should of scored. It's hard but everyone's got to stick together, things could get worse before they get better.”

Richard Garcia (Perth Glory)

“I've thought about that goal for a long time, ever since Glory came about, so for me to get one tonight is fantastic.

“We've got a great bunch of guys who work hard for each other, we don't know when we're beat. That team spirit that we've got is taking us a long way.”

Goals

1-0 Richard Garcia (11’) Jets defender Scott Neville intercepted a pass from Mitch Nicholls which was intended for his Glory teammate Danny De Silva, but his touch deflected into the path of Garcia, who hammered the ball home for his first goal in Perth colours. The cruel irony for the Jets was De Silva was in an offside position, but the flag was never raised.

2-0 Nebojsa Marinkovic (86’) Glory striker Andy Keogh held the ball up in the penalty area before passing the ball to the Serbian ace, who controlled the ball before launching a sizzling strike that sailed past Jets goalkeeper Ben Kennedy before ricocheting off the left post and into the back of the net.

Key moment

Former Socceroo David Carney had a golden chance to equalise in the 53rd minute when he found space at the top of the penalty area. The Jets winger had only Perth goalkeeper Danny Vukovic to beat, but he was clever closed down by the in-form Josh Risdon and Carney sent his left-foot shot way over the crossbar. Newcastle never looked like scoring after that point as Glory dominated the match.

Opta Data Stats

Newcastle had the lowest shots on goal (60) and shots on target (25) in the league heading into the match, yet had more of both in the first half. Garcia’s goal was the only shot Perth had on goal in the first half while the Jets were unsuccessful from four attempts. However, the Jets could only muster up another three as Glory mounted 13 after half-time.

Coach killer

If Newcastle coach Phil Stubbins is to keep his job, he needs all the reinforcements he can get and his cause was not helped when his captain and best player Kew Jalien was sent from the pitch after a crude challenge on Glory’s Scott Jamieson. Jaliens had kept Glory striker Andy Keogh relatively quiet for most of the match and the Jets need the former Dutch international on the pitch if they are to score that elusive win.

Treatment table

Mitch Nichols is in doubt for Tuesday’s FFA Cup final after being forced off in the 73rd minute with what appeared to be a right hamstring injury. Glory coach Kenny Lowe’s face was not one of its usual joy as Nichols slumped to the turf

Glory striker Andy Keogh also clutched at his left shoulder several times late in the first half after landing awkwardly following an aerial challenge close to goal, but played out the match and did not appear to be affected by the complaint in the second half.

The Final Word

Perth will head into Tuesday’s FFA Cup final against Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium on the back of a seven-match unbeaten streak, including six wins. Kenny Lowe’s side is already eyeing off what would be the first piece of silverware the Perth club has laid its hands on since winning the grand final of the last season of the National Soccer League.

The spotlight will remain on Newcastle coach Phil Stubbins after another loss, the club’s sixth from 10 games. The Jets will have seven days to prepare for next Friday’s match against Adelaide at Hunter Stadium while the FFA Cup finalists will have just three, potentially making it Newcastle’s best chance to win their first game of the season.